The government has announced new cash in a bid to ensure people living in “hard to reach” areas do not miss out on superfast broadband.

A total of up to £87.7 million is to be made available over the coming years through a joint scheme with BT to help take superfast broadband to the most remote and hard to reach places in the East of England.

In total 567,345 homes and business in the East can now gain access to superfast speeds.

Minister for Digital, and MP for West Suffolk, Matt Hancock said: “We have now brought superfast broadband to almost 94% of UK homes and businesses.

“We are on track to reach 95% by the end of the year, but we know there’s still more to do. The money that is now being returned to the programme for reinvestment will help us reach that final 5%, and is all part of our commitment to make sure that 100% of the UK can get affordable, fast and reliable broadband by 2020.”

A ward councillor concerned about the closure of one of Ipswich’s largest care homes has said she is “puzzled” by the lack of demand for its services – as fellow health leaders claim they are seeing a spike in older people needing care, not a fall.